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CWRU - Comparative-Historical Sociology: Protest Music - Songs

Protest Music

Songs

This page contains curated songs available on YouTube related to social justice, as well as information on CDs and vinyl records that can be found onsite at the Library & Archives. You can also enter your zip code into the WorldCat.org "Search Location" box to see what libraries near you may have this item available.

"Alright" by Kendrick Lamar

"American Skin" by Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band

"Americans" by Janelle Monae

"Baltimore" by Prince

"The Beast" by the Fugees

"Boys on Black Mopeds" by Sinead O'Connor

"Crime for Crime" by Ani DiFranco

"Earth" by Lil Dicky

"Fight the Power" by Public Enemy

"Freedom" by Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar

"Hate the Police" by the Dicks

"Hell You Talmbout" by Janelle Monae, Women's March on Washington

"Hey Hey Rise Up" by Pink Floyd feat. Andriy Khlyvnyuk of Boombox

"The Joke" by Brandi Carlile

Macklemore - Hind's Hall

"Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine

"Land of the Free" by the Killers

"Let's Make America Great Again" by Frank Turner

"Lockdown" by Anderson .Paak

"Love It If We Made It" by the 1975

"Love Me, I'm a Liberal" by Phil Ochs

"Make America Great Again" by Pussy Riot

"Mi Gente" by J Balvin, Willy William

"Mississippi Goddam" by Nina Simone

"Nina Cried Power" by Hozier with Mavis Staples

"Proud to Be Black" by Run-D.M.C.

"Respect" by Aretha Franklin

"Mama's Cryin' Free" by Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell, and Amythyst Kiah

"A Rapist in Your Path" - Chilean feminist protest song

"True Trans Soul Rebel" by Against Me!

"Respect Yourself" by the Staple Singers

"Rhythm Nation" by Janet Jackson

"The Sleep of Reason" by Billy Bragg

"The Story of O.J." by Jay-Z

"Tear the Fascists Down" by Woody Guthrie

"There but for Fortune" by Joan Baez

"This is America" by Childish Gambino

"This Land" by Gary Clark Jr.

"The Times They Are A-Changin'" by Bob Dylan

"They Don't Care About Us" by Michael Jackson

"What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye

"White Man's World" by Jason Isbell

"The Whitest House" by Jasiri X

"Who Protects Us from You?" by Boogie Down Productions

"U.N.I.T.Y." by Queen Latifah

It's Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope and Empowerment

Visit the Rock Hall's virtual exhibition It's Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment here.

In every generation, musicians have responded in song and action to promote social justice and equality. What the world is seeing today, as injustices are called out and protesters are finding their voices, is not new. And neither are the musical responses - words and music and passion converging to create something much bigger that cuts deep into the rage, gives hope and radiates empowerment. 

Hear the music behind the exhibit through the Rock Hall's playlist below.

CD & Vinyl Recordings

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | Library & Archives
2809 Woodland Avenue | Cleveland, OH 44115 | 216.515.1956 | rockhall.com/library